The Big Winner On 'Wheel Of Fortune'

Did you hear the news Wheel of Fortune fans? Vanna White, the woman who turns the letters of television's No. 1 game show, is coming out with a poster. It will cost you $3.50.

I watch Wheel of Fortune. How could I help it? No matter what time of day or night I switch on the television, Wheel will be on at least one channel.

If you have never seen the show, what's the matter? You're some kind of commie? Everybody watches Wheel of Fortune, where the idea is to spin a wheel, win money, and then solve a puzzle so you can take the money you won and exchange it for exciting prizes.

Pat Sejack, who looks a little like I did when I was 9 and everybody called me Skippy, is the host and when a contestant solves the puzzle, he or she then looks at the gaggle of prizes and says things like, ''Pat, I'll take the brass duck for $4,000, the ottoman for $9,000 and the trip to Encino for $11,000.'' You would find better bargains on Rodeo Drive in Hollywood, but the point is that the contestants and the audience and all the people at home love the show, not to mention Vanna White.

Wheel of Fortune held tryouts for contestants in Atlanta recently. White was there.

She is from North Myrtle Beach, S.C. She moved to Atlanta in 1975 and stayed until 1980 doing various jobs, none of which had the slightest glitter. ''Finally,'' she said, ''I got antsy and stressed out a Hollywood term, meaning 'pooped', so I left for Hollywood without a hope.''

Her break came when she tried out with 200 other women to be host of Wheel of Fortune.

''Merv Griffin picked me,'' she said. ''After I calmed down, I asked him why. All he has ever said is, 'I turned the letters on the puzzle better than anybody else.' ''

That, of course, is like saying Bo Jackson was picked for the Heisman Trophy because he pulled on his helmet better than anybody else. Regardless, White makes a wonderful spokesperson for Wheel.

''I'd say the cars and the prizes and the trips and the money is all secondary for the contestants,'' she explained. ''Nobody does the show for just that. They have to pay all their expenses to be on the show with no guarantees. We tape two to four weeks ahead so everybody can watch themselves. . . .

''It's a craze, sure, but a beneficial craze. Little kids are learning their ABCs on Wheel of Fortune.''

What I gathered at the tryouts is if you ever turn out for one, don't act stupid, don't slur your words, don't try to be too cute and if you speak to Vanna, but sure to pronounce her name correctly.